Do you have fruit trees that need pruning or are interested in getting fruit trees? Join Ohio State Extension to learn how to prune the trees in your orchard. Whether you have trees that are pruned each year, are new to growing fruit trees or have trees that haven’t been pruned for years, this workshop is for you! At Unger Park, you will have the opportunity to see never pruned trees while instructors guide you in determining which branches to cut and why. You will also learn more about the biology behind pruning trees and how the trees grow when pruned vs not in relation to production. Our goal is to provide you with the knowledge needed to have a great production season. The workshop will be held at Unger Park at 1303 Bucyrus-Nevada Rd., Bucyrus, OH 44820 starting at 10am. This workshop is free to attend, and no registration is required.

Please wear appropriate clothing and bring (if able) work gloves and safety glasses.

For more information, please call 419-447-9722 or email buurma.20@osu.edu

– Dr. Andrew Griffith, Assistant Professor, Livestock Marketing Specialist, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, University of Tennessee

This week a question was asked concerning liquidating the cow herd while the cattle market is strong. This is not the first time I have received this question as several producers have certainly entertained the thought.

The answer or the correct move for an individual producer is dependent on expectations, goals, longevity in the business, and alternative land uses if the land the cattle are on is owned. One thought some should consider is that the cattle market is expected to stay high for three years. If a person can stand to stay in business for a couple of years then it may be a wise decision to capitalize on a couple or three of years of strong calf prices and slowly market a few cows without keeping any heifers as replacements. This will result in taking advantage of the market while reducing the herd size. The producer can then reevaluate the alternative in year three and determine if liquidating the herd completely is still in the best interest of all parties.

Tax implications should also be considered when making this decision.

– Steve Boyles, OSU Extension Beef Specialist, retired

Factors that create stress during the winter months are cold, wind, snow, rain and mud. The primary effect on animals is due to temperature. All these factors alter the maintenance energy requirement of livestock. Maintenance requirement can be defined, as the nutrients required for keeping an animal in a state of balance so that body substance is neither gained or lost. An interesting thing to note is that while energy requirements increase, protein requirements remain the same.

Some published sources contain nutrient requirements for beef cattle that include guidelines for adjusting rations during winter weather. Even without published sources, competent livestock producers realize the need for more feed during cold weather. Make sure that water is available. If water is not supplied, cattle will reduce feed intake.

Daily dry matter intake of beef cows with respect to lower temperatures

The metabolic response to the stimulus of cold involves practically all the systems of the body. The striated muscles shiver, the heart beats faster, breathing becomes deeper, urine flow is increased and the sympathetic and pituitary controlled systems are activated so to elevate biological oxidations (energy expenditure or heat production) in all tissues. The result is an increase in the cow’s requirements for energy.

Spring calving cows, and particularly heifers, in poor body condition are at risk for calving problems. The result may be lighter, weaker calves at birth, which can lead to a higher death loss, and more susceptibility to things such as scours.  Animals in poor condition before calving, provide inferior colostrum and lower milk production. This can lead to lighter weaning weights or fewer pounds of calf to sell. Females that are in less than desirable body condition at calving are slower to return to estrus. Body condition at calving affects the current calf crop (milk production) and next year’s calving date (rebreeding date). For more on this, see Body Condition Scoring and Effect on Reproduction

In most years hay and stockpiled forage can adequately provide the needed nutrients, but it can very widely and should be tested to make sure it is adequate. Learn more about forage testing at: Forage Sampling Hay Bales

There is a range of temperature where cattle are neither too hot nor too cold and their performance is optimal. This temperature range is called the thermoneutral zone. It is the temperature range where the fewest nutrients are needed to maintain bodily functions. For cattle the lower temperatures of the thermoneutral zone are shown in Table 1. All of the critical temperatures listed are effective ambient temperatures, which basically means the wind chill temperature is used if the cattle are not sheltered. The critical temperatures also take into consideration the insulating ability of the cattle, as shown by the change between a wet and dry coat.  Typical hair depths are .1 inches for summer and .3 to .5 inches for winter.

Estimated Lower Critical Temperatures for Beef Cattle *

As you can see from the table above, if we have a choice, snow is preferred to a cold rain. We lose what is called “air insulation” in cattle that get wet versus those that are out in the snow. The air pockets between hair fibers are a source of insulation. We lose this insulation when hair gets matted down in a cold rain. The result is that the Dry Winter Coat goes from having a critical temperature of 32 degrees F to about 59-60 degrees F.

From several studies it is estimated that for every one degree below the critical temperature a cow’s energy requirement (TDN) increases 1 percent. It is also estimated that for every ten degrees below the critical temperature the digestibility of the ration decreases by 1 percent. This means that when the temperature drops below the critical temperature the cattle need to be fed better. It may be that more or better hay needs to be fed

Example of Effect of Temperature on Energy Needs

It has been suggested that an energy supplement level that would minimally affect forage intake would be .7% of animal body weight.  However, level of grain supplementation can vary with forage quality. Also, see this, https://u.osu.edu/beef/2019/01/30/winter-feeding-beef-cows/

Besides cold weather effecting cattle performance producers have another thing to consider during winter, mud.  Depending upon mud depth, it is estimated that it can increase the maintenance requirement from 7-30%.

OSU scientists Nickles, Relling and Parker observed cows housed for the last trimester of gestation in muddy conditions had an estimated increase in energy requirements of 1.8 Mcal Net Energy/day, which is equivalent to approximately 20% of the daily energy requirements for maintenance of a 1200 lb cow.  To read further on these results you can click on this link: The Cost of Mud to Beef Cows

– Dr. Andrew Griffith, Assistant Professor, Livestock Marketing Specialist, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, University of Tennessee

Is this the right time to get in the cattle business or grow the cattle business considerably? This seems as if it is just the opposite question as what was discussed in last week’s column, but this question was asked twice in the past week.

The first thought is that buying into a business that is at the top or near the top is not typically the best decision. However, that is not always the sole determining factor as other opportunities may present themselves due to that simple decisions.

For instance, there may be neighbors looking to sell their herds and want someone to rent their ground. Sometimes a person has to take advantage of the longer-term opportunity of renting the neighbors ground and that may mean purchasing some cows at the top of the market. There are other similar instances, but a person still needs to put pencil to paper. In these special circumstances, it often takes long-term planning and budgeting to determine if this is a good decision. Thus, buying in when the market is high could still be a favorable decision for some market participants.

The Ohio Beef Council and the Ohio Cattlemen’s Foundation in partnership with the Stockyards Packing Company will hold the BEEF 509 program in a new regional format in 2025. The program will take place in Southwestern Ohio on two Saturdays Feb. 22 and March 1 at the Stockyards Packing Company, 6365 College Corner Pike, Oxford, Ohio 45056.

BEEF 509 is an educational program designed to teach cattle producers about the food side of their business and how to utilize best management practices to improve beef quality and enhance profitability while learning about value within the beef chain.

Topics to be covered include Live Cattle Evaluation, Beef Carcass Grading, Grid Pricing, Beef Harvest Demonstration, Carcass Fabrication and Cutting, Understanding the Science of Beef, Beef Quality Assurance and Live Carcass and Boxed Beef Evaluation.

Participants will be divided into teams, taught live animal evaluation, grid pricing systems, allowed to select live cattle through an “auction-like” setting and then follow those cattle through harvest, grading and a hands-on cutting session which provides participants with the opportunity to experience first-hand the differences encountered in carcass composition. The resulting information is then evaluated in terms of the value differences calculated between animals and how that translates back to value differences in the live animals to determine which teams made the most profit based on their original live purchase price.

A maximum of 30 program participants are available on a first-come, first-served basis. There will be no registration fee for participants who bring their own animal for custom harvest, however participants will be responsible for processing and harvest charges. The registration fee for participants without an animal brought for harvest will be $200, with the beef council covering all additional program expenses. Confirmed and registered participants must attend both Saturdays.

BEEF 509 instructors will determine which cattle will be a part of the 509 program based on multiple educational considerations. Prizes will be awarded for the Top teams ranked by final profit. Prizes will also be awarded based on a traditional carcass contest competition. All cattle brought for harvest by 509 participants will be eligible for the carcass contest awards.

Registration and additional information are available at ohiocattle.org or by calling 614-873-6736 or email at cattle@ohiocattle.org. Registration deadline is now or as soon as the program is full.

– Haley Shoemaker, OSU Extension AGNR Educator, Columbiana and Mahoning Counties

While I’m not sure the “if you’re cold, they’re cold – bring your animals inside” concept originated with cattle in mind, cold snaps like we’re experiencing now tend to bring out the misconception that keeping cattle sheltered is synonymous with keeping cattle warm. In reality, cattle are designed with the capability to endure the winter’s cold, as long as we as producers provide them with the necessary means to keep their metabolic processes running and keep cold stress at bay.

Give Your Cattle the Tools They Need

Out of the Wind
You’ve probably caught yourself before stating that “if it weren’t for the wind, it wouldn’t feel so cold”, and the same goes for cattle.  In bouts of extreme weather, access to a windbreak can determine whether cattle use up their energy searching for shelter or instead direct that energy toward consuming feed, water, or stored forage.  Windbreaks can come in many shapes and sizes – varying from more permanent 3-sided structures or barns to strategically placed stacks of round or large square bales.

The key to an effective windbreak is ensuring enough space filled with clean, dry bedding for all cattle to utilize the shelter.  According to studies from Dr. Kevin Janni with the University of Minnesota, wet ground or damp bedding works against a cow trying to conserve energy, pulling heat away from the body through the process of conduction.

Feed and Forage
During periods of extreme cold, producers can expect cattle to increase feed consumption in an effort to boost energy and maintain body temperature.  Just how much additional energy is needed depends on the lower critical temperature, or LCT.  The LCT is often referred to as the temperature at which cattle’s maintenance needs bypass “normal” requirements – affecting overall performance without an increase in feed or forage consumption.

Generally speaking, multiple sources suggest increasing the amount of digestible energy (TDN) by 1% for each degree the temperature falls below the LCT.  That said, LCT can vary widely depending on condition and hair coat – for cattle in good condition, with heavy and dry winter coats, the LCT can be as low as 18 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit, however cattle in poor condition or with fall hair coats can experience lower critical temperatures between 32 to 45 degrees Fahrenheit.  Increasing energy intake can come through the provision of high-quality, high-energy forage.  That said, with many across the state putting up less nutrient dense forages this year because of environmental conditions, supplementation of grain may be necessary to keep up with metabolic needs.  Depending solely upon lower quality forages during extreme cold can be a bit like walking a tight rope – filling the gut is part of the goal, but the rumen microbes still need “fed” as well.  North Dakota State University Livestock Extension Specialist Janna Block notes that even though a cow may appear full, if her protein and energy needs are not being met, feed fermentation can slow, ultimately impacting nutrient absorption.

Ventilation
When faced with harsh winds and falling temperatures, it can be tempting to shut all the barn doors, pull curtains, and batten down the figurative hatches.  And while this may make us as the producer feel better about our cattle’s living conditions, without properly accounting for ventilation, we may actually be creating the perfect environment for respiratory diseases such as pneumonia.  On their own, cattle create condensation and moisture through respiration and the escape of body heat.  Especially in periods of fluctuating temperatures, extended time without fresh air flow can allow this moisture to build, providing an environment for disease production, increased humidity, and negative impacts on both the herd and barn structure.

Calving Considerations
With many producers on the verge or in the heart of calving season, ventilation is particularly crucial for new calves and mommas waiting their turn in the calving pens.  Protection from extreme cold is important, however the manner in which we protect calves is perhaps even more so.  For new or very young calves, calf coats may be a tool in your toolbox.  These can be effective, as long as the coat is only used when the temperature is not high enough to cause the calf to sweat underneath.  Sweat during the day will turn to a cold, wet hair coat when temperatures drop overnight, causing bodily heat loss and a drop below the calf’s LCT.  Calf boxes, or small areas with heat lamps may also be an option, but exercise common sense – allowing heat to build too rapidly or too close to straw bedding doesn’t end well.  Overall, keeping young calves on dry, thick bedding and out of drafty areas is often the most straightforward “chill” protection.

Overall, beef cattle are a hardy bunch.  If we provide the necessities, their bodies will take care of the rest.

Additional Resources:

Cronin, S. (2023). Feed Requirements for Beef Cattle During Cold Weather: https://www.drovers.com/news/beef-production/feed-requirements-beef-cattle-during-cold-weather

(2023). Cold Stress and Beef Cattle (Penn State Extension): https://extension.psu.edu/cold-stress-and-beef-cattle#:~:text=Feeding%20programs%20may%20need%20to,key%20things%20to%20focus%20on

Okkema, C. (2023). From chillin’ to chilly – Natural ventilation during the winter months for dairy barns (Michigan State University Extension): https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/from-chillin-to-chilly-natural-ventilation-during-the-winter-months-for-dairy-barns

Michael Metzger, Michigan State University Extension Educator
(Previously published on MSU Extension, Sheep & Goat: December 09, 2024)

With kidding and lambing season upon us or right around the corner, owners should prepare their animals to get the best outcome.

Kidding and lambing season is here again and there are steps that owners should take to make sure their herd or flock is prepared. By taking the time to prepare, owners will mitigate issues that could arise, and they will be set up for the best possible outcome. With proper care and planning problems can be kept to a minimum as animals give birth.

Implement a vaccination program for your herd or flock
Four to six weeks before the animals are due to deliver, they should receive a booster with CDT vaccine and Bo-Se if not providing selenium through feed or mineral mix.

Monitor your feeding program to meet nutritional needs of the gestating animals
Does and ewes in the last trimester of pregnancy should have their feed intake monitored. As

the fetuses continue to grow in the uterus, their nutritional demands also grow. These nutritional needs are difficult to meet and it can be further complicated by the reduced size of the rumen due to the increased space occupied by multiple fetuses. It is important to feed a highly digestible forages such as a good quality hay and an energy dense supplement such as corn to meet these demands. Failure to meet the needs of these expectant animals can result in ketosis or other metabolic conditions.

Source the necessary supplies to have on hand
When preparing for kidding or lambing season it is important to have some basic supplies on hand to assist with the delivery process if needed. Some suggestions include:

• Disinfectant or anti-bacterial soap for cleaning before and after the exam
• Towels for drying kids or lambs
• Iodine for spraying or dipping navels
• Disposable OB gloves for exams or pulling kids or lambs
• OB lubricant for exams
• Clean bucket for warm, soapy water for preparing the animal for exam
• Kid or lamb puller
• Large syringe and stomach tube for feeding neonates that can’t or won’t nurse.

Prepare an area for kidding or lambing
As the due date approaches, animals should be placed in well-bedded pens in a dry, draft free area if kidding or lambing during cold weather.

Once you have taken the steps to properly prepare for the kidding or lambing season on your farm you will be ready to assist the animals in your flock or herd. One of the most important things to remember as animals go into labor, is to give the process time and not rush things. Most animals will deliver with no problem on their own if left to themselves.

The first stages of labor can take anywhere from 1 – 4 hours. This stage includes the animal isolating herself if possible, restlessness and nesting behavior. It also includes the water breaking. The second stage of labor should last less than 45 minutes and include the fetus moving into the pelvic canal and hard labor resulting in delivery of the fetus. It is recommended that if you see no progress for 20 minutes in the second stage of delivery that owners intervene and check for normal delivery position.

Assisting an animal during the birthing process requires some expertise. If owners are unsure or inexperienced, they should contact their veterinarian. Michigan State University Extension is offering a webinar series on the birth management of small ruminants. Click here to register for the 2025 Birth Management for Small Ruminants series.

Michael Metzger, Michigan State University Extension Educator
(Previously published on MSU Extension, Sheep & Goat: December 10, 2024)

(Image Source: Michael Metzger, MSU Extension)

Meeting the nutritional requirements of the pregnant doe can prevent serious problems at the time of delivery and support subsequent milk production.

Nutrition is important during all phases of production in all classes of livestock and is particularly important during the breeding season and the resulting pregnancy. Goats need a balanced diet to be healthy and productive, and water is a crucial nutrient that is often overlooked. During the winter months, it is important to maintain a supply of fresh water that is not frozen for the animals. This article will describe the nutritional needs of gestating and lactating goats and some common metabolic diseases in gestating females.

Nutrition and vaccinations during gestation
The average gestation period for goats is 150 days. During the first two-thirds of gestation, there is little fetal development, and the nutritional requirements for the doe change very little from what the animal requires during the dry period and breeding. Lactating dairy does have a higher nutritional requirement than dry and non-pregnant meat goats. The energy requirements of these animals can often be met with medium-quality hay and a minimal amount of grain.

During the last 50 days of pregnancy, the fetus or fetuses begin to grow and can limit the amount of forage a pregnant doe can eat. At this time a concentrate feed should slowly be added to the diet. This transition should be done slowly to help prevent an overeating disease that an abrupt diet change can cause. At this time, does should also be given a clostridium perfringes types C & D-tetanus toxoid (CD-T) booster vaccine so that they can pass adequate antibodies for overeating disease to their offspring through colostrum. Two weeks before kidding is a good time to begin transitioning dry does to the feed they will be given during lactation. This is especially true for dairy animals that will be entering a new lactation. Moving animals to a diet higher in protein and calcium can help to prevent metabolic issues such as pregnancy toxemia, milk fever, and ketosis. It is essential for the doe to have adequate milk production to support her offspring.

Common metabolic diseases in gestating does
Pregnancy toxemia and ketosis can occur when an animal’s energy requirement is not met and the doe must use her fat reserves to meet her energy needs. Pregnancy toxemia and ketosis are caused by ketones being released into the bloodstream; a large concentration of ketones can be toxic. This condition can occur in both under and over-conditioned animals. Pregnancy toxemia occurs before kidding and ketosis occurs after kidding. Maintaining a body condition score of around 3 can help to prevent these conditions. It is important to detect these conditions early and begin preventative treatments such as dosing with propylene glycol immediately.

Milk fever occurs when animals begin a lactation and they need to supply a large amount of calcium to make milk. The doe will often have adequate calcium reserves in her bones if she has been fed a diet high in calcium during the dry period, however, her body may have a difficult time mobilizing these reserves. Milk fever is caused by low levels of calcium in the blood and can be a life-threatening condition. To prevent milk fever, producers should feed lower calcium feeds and forages during late gestation. Grass hay should be fed because of its lower calcium levels. Feeding alfalfa hay can cause the animal to ingest too much calcium. Feeding lower levels of calcium allows the goat’s body to utilize the calcium more efficiently.

Michigan State University Extension recommends using care when feeding the gestation doe to help prevent metabolic disorders around the time of kidding. Feeding the gestating doe can be broken down into two parts and by feeding appropriately during each of those, the goat will have a much better chance of delivering and raising healthy kids.

I’ve gotten the question a few times – ‘How can I prevent water troughs from freezing without electricity?’ Well, what a very good question indeed. First, let’s talk a little bit of chemistry. Adding salt to water when you’re boiling noodles increases the boiling point of the water, meaning the water is hotter than 212 degrees. This is the same concept with salt water and freezing point; salt water will freeze at a lower temperature than 32 degrees.

Soda bottle and salt or burying the trough are a couple of solutions
Now that the chemistry is out of the way, it brings us to our first option – making a saltwater float. Using a 2-liter soda bottle, fill it two-thirds of the way with water and add 2 cups of salt, making sure it dissolves. After tightening the cap, place it in your trough. It should float (if it doesn’t, empty a bit of the solution) and break the surface tension of the water without freezing itself. Additionally, if the trough begins to freeze, the stock may learn to press on the bottle to expose fluid water. You also can use a soccer or basketball for the same effect.

Another option is to insulate the trough with a combination of insulation and plywood or burying the trough into the ground. If you’re able, you can build a plywood box around the trough and fill the gaps with Styrofoam, foil-wrapped insulation or spray foam. You can insulate the tank itself with the insulation, but the plywood would act as a windbreak. While the box tactic controls the ‘body’ of the water trough, the surface is still exposed and can freeze. Adding a plywood lid also may work, provided the lid has a couple of access points in which the stock can drink. Putting a hinge on the lid may be a benefit as well, to prevent curious critters from accidently knocking off the lid and allowing the water to freeze, but also for easy access to scrub the tank if need be.

Burying the trough is similar to insulation in that the ground will be warmer than the air. Dr. Thunes from Clarity Equine Nutrition reports that a drilled 12-inch diameter hole several feet deep directly under the troughs was enough to prevent the water from freezing due to the geothermal heat coming up from the earth.

Location, location, location
Lastly, in the words of our real estate friends, ‘Location, location, location.’ Under a shade tree sounds like a great spot to place a water trough in the summer, but come winter, that same location will hardly ever see sun, especially in the cloudy months of winter. Moving the trough to the sunniest spot in the field or barn during the winter will allow solar radiation to warm the surface of the trough. Therefore, scope out a few different places where you may move water to throughout the year. If all else fails, you may need to break down and heat the trough or come to terms with your trusty hammer. If you end up deciding on a heater, there are several electric options and a couple of propane options, too. The propane options seem to be pricier and meant for large tanks (at least 100 gallons) but are useful if there is no close electric hookup. The electric options range from submersible to floating to tank side to drain plug, depending on what you’re looking for and are usually less than $150.

Keeping water fluid is a tricky thing to do when it’s frigid, but a necessary farm chore of the winter. If you try any of the non-electric options, check the water at least once a day to see how it is working, and always be careful with propane or electric heating elements in barns and around animals.

Haley Campbell, Lecturer, The Ohio State University ATI

Ohio State University Extension’s fourth annual Soil Health Tour is live for 2024! This year’s virtual tour partnered with Michigan State University to showcase conservation practices in action through the Western Lake Erie Basin of Ohio and Michigan. Five tour stops showcase individual farmers who have implemented different conservation practices on their farms. Each producer’s video interview with an Extension staff member discusses the practice they are utilizing, why they chose to implement it, benefits they have seen thus far, and changes they would make, if any if they did it all over again. In addition to those sites, we are showcasing 8 regional locations of a study that members of OSU Extension have completed over the past few years, looking at soil health across the state. To view the interactive StoryMap, visit go.osu.edu/SHTour24.

Stop 1 focuses on Jeff Duling, a farmer out of Ottawa, Ohio, who has been interseeding cover crops into his corn for the past few years. He is interviewed by Rachel Cochran, Water Quality Extension Associate, where he talks through his decision-making process, challenges he has faced, and his advice to others.

Stop 2 highlights research that Michigan State University Extension has been conducting about using a drone to seed cover crops. Madelyn Celovsky, Conservation Agronomist Educator, interviews Jay Williams, a Hillsdale County producer, to discuss the benefits of drone seeding, as well as some preliminary research conclusions.

At stop 3, Sarah Zeiler, Environmental Management Educator with Michigan State University, interviews Adrianne Gammie, owner of Marilla Field and Flora in Dexter, Michigan. At her high-density flower farm, Adrianne utilizes a rotation of cover crops to build her soil’s health and combat diseases that can be detrimental to flower production.

Stop 4 showcases a saturated buffer and water management system near Celina, Ohio, managed by VanTilburg Farms. Luke VanTilburg is interviewed by Jocelyn Ruble (Birt), Water Quality Extension Associate, about why they decided to implement such a large project on their operation.

Our fifth and final tour stop brings us to the OSU Northwest Agricultural Research Station. Dr. Stephanie Karhoff discusses her research with Dr. Elizabeth Hawkins and the Ohio Soybean Council on cover crop seeding rates and planting dates. Their replicated research looked at biomass production and the following soybean crop yield based on three different planting dates and seeding rates.

The tour ends with a brief discussion of some research that the OSU Extension Water Quality Team has been a part of for several years. 2023 data from the eFields On-Farm Research Publication is included in this section of the tour, where this statewide study is discussed at length. This statewide study had participation from 18 of the 20 counties that the Water Quality Team covers in Ohio’s Western Lake Erie Basin.

If you enjoy learning about conservation practices in action, consider joining us for an event on February 20^th, 2025, at Northwest State Community College. This event, Success Stories of Conservation, will be a place for farmers, landowners, and technical support staff to openly discuss how conservation has worked for them, as well as their challenges with these practices. More information can be found at our website, waterqualityextension.osu.edu.